'Cut-off Party' Emerges... Hanguk Gyeongje Party "Conducted Polls, Negotiating"

Sim Jae-cheol, floor leader of the United Future Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Korea Economic Party, which advocates moderate conservatism, is seeking to recruit lawmakers who were excluded from the Future United Party's nominations. It is reported that they have already completed local constituency opinion polls in consultation with some lawmakers. If successful, this could become a variable in future conservative voter sentiment. Additionally, the Open Democratic Party, founded by former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju who left the Democratic Party, is also reportedly in contact with lawmakers who were excluded from the Democratic Party's nominations.

On the 11th, a Korea Economic Party official stated, "We conducted local opinion polls in consultation with incumbent lawmakers who were excluded from the Future United Party's nominations and are considering running as independents, and several candidates with winning potential emerged," adding, "Although not finalized yet, we expect to work with at least five or more lawmakers."

He continued, "The opinion poll results also show that running under the Korea Economic Party banner is more competitive than running as independents who must fend for themselves."

The Korea Economic Party started in 2016 under the name 'Pro-Ban Unification Party' with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as its figurehead. It later changed its name to the People's Hope Party, then the Economic Patriot Party, and finally adopted its current name earlier this month. According to its party constitution, it is based on "the ideology of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and the pursuit of peace and a new economic paradigm of the United Nations," advocating moderate conservatism. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it has emphasized "anti-Moon Jae-in and anti-China" stances.

About 20 incumbent lawmakers were excluded (cut off) from the Future United Party's nominations. These include prominent pro-Park figures such as Yoon Sang-hyun, Min Kyung-wook, and Lee Hyun-jae, as well as lawmakers from the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region like Park Myung-jae, Kang Seok-ho, Jeong Tae-ok, Baek Seung-joo, Kim Seok-ki, and Kwak Dae-hoon. Heavyweights like former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo and former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Tae-ho were also cut off and are considering running as independents. A Korea Economic Party official said, "Some senior lawmakers are in talks, and we are also meeting many candidates outside the incumbents."

Previously, Seo Cheong-won, the longest-serving (8 terms) pro-Park independent lawmaker, and Kim Soon-rye, who was cut off from the United Party, joined the Liberty Republican Party. There is also the Pro-Park New Party led by lawmaker Hong Moon-jong. Lawmakers leaving the United Party thus have several options. However, these parties are associated with former President Park Geun-hye and the so-called 'Taegukgi Unit,' which could be a burden. In contrast, the Korea Economic Party advocates moderate conservatism and emphasizes "economy."

Former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju recently founded the Open Democratic Party with lawmaker Son Hye-won, and at a press conference on the 10th, announced that Son would serve as the nomination committee chair. While focusing on proportional representation candidates, they plan to field some local constituency candidates as well. In a media interview, Jeong expressed hope that incumbent lawmakers excluded from the Democratic Party would join the Open Democratic Party, directly mentioning lawmakers Lee Seok-hyun and Lee Jong-gul. Even if they do not receive proportional representation slots, they are asked to help block votes for the Future United Party’s satellite party.